Louis van Gaal's deteriorating relationship with the English press will cost him his job at Manchester United , according to one of his former proteges.

And that would pave the way for a 'sensational' showdown between Jose Mourinho and incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, in the view of ex-Barceolna midfielder Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi says he feels sorry for his former boss who he credits as being a 'great' manager but believes Van Gaal's fractious stand-off with the press, as well as United's below-par results, will lead to his downfall.

"I feel bad for him," said Xavi. "He is an honest man and a great manager ... who lacks a little tact.

"Furthermore, he gets along very badly with the press and that eventually undermine you. And if on top of that the results are not good you get to his current situation at Manchester United.

"Sometimes I have talked to (Barcelona manager) Luis Enrique about things that van Gaal said or did (when he was at Barcelona) that seemed outrageous for us when we were players but now, however, we see that he was right, that he was ahead of his time."

Xavi, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo , backed sacked Chelsea boss Mourinho to take the reins at Old Trafford if Van Gaal is axed.

"I think that it would very good for football," he said. "It will be sensational for the Premier League as it was during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid, until things got twisted away from football.

"Next year it could be amazing the duel between Pep and Mou, if it is confirmed that Jose signed for United.